Double-action clinching method

A double-action clinching method, comprising:

• establishing a first layer on a second layer, the first layer having less ductility than the second layer;
• securing the first and second layers between a punch and a clinching punch of a double-action clinching tool such that:
• i) a support of the tool receives a portion of a surface of the second layer, and ii) the clinching punch slidably positioned in the support is adjacent to an other portion of the surface of the second layer;
• and
• the punch, positioned opposed to the clinching punch, is adjacent a portion of a surface of the first layer, wherein the punch has a first diameter, and the clinching punch has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter;
• pressing the punch into the portion of the surface of the first layer, thereby forming an aperture through the first layer;
• and
• then pressing the clinching punch into the other portion of the surface of the second layer in a direction opposite to the pressing of the punch, thereby forcing at least a portion of the second layer into the aperture and forming at least a flush-back joint with micro-interlocking between a side wall of the aperture and the at least the portion of a second layer.